Beijing City ( 北京市 ) is the political and cultural center of the People’s Republic of China ( 中华人民共和国 ). The City of Beijing ( 北京 ), which is also known simply as the Jing ( 京 ), which means the Capital, can also be used to refer to the country’s leadership.

The City of Beijing ( 北京市 ) is one of the seven ancient capital cities of China. The City is located on the northwest edge of the North China Plain, adjoining Tianjin City ( 天津市 ) to its east and Hebei Province ( 河北省 ) to its north, west and south. Beijing City ( 北京市 ) has 16 districts and 2 counties under its jurisdiction, covering an area of 16,800 square kilometers. The immediate region surrounding Beijing ( 北京 ) has historical roots dating more than 500,000 years back. In the Warring States period during 403 – 221 BC, the State of Yan ( 燕 ) established its capital there. As such, Beijing is also commonly called Yanjing ( 燕京 ) to this day.

The modern People’s Republic of China ( 中华人民共和国 ) as we know of today is founded in 1949. The victorious communist government shifted the capital from the southern City of Nanjing ( 南京市 ) to the present day Beijing ( 北京 ), re-establishing the city’s status as the national capital, a role it has played for over 700 years in China’s history. Since then, the City of Beijing ( 北京市 ) has developed to become the center for Chinese politics, culture and international exchanges. Beijing City ( 北京市 ) today comprises the highest numbers of advanced educational institutions among Chinese cities; these include the renowned Peking University ( 北京大学 ) and Tsinghua University ( 清华大学 ). In addition, its residents have the most advanced educational level among residents of Chinese cities.

Cultural heritage sites and scenic spots are aplenty in this ancient city. Historical pagodas with rock carvings, imperial gardens and tombs, former residences of historical personages as well as palace groups, temples and parks, throng the city side by side with modern buildings and memorial halls. The City of Beijing ( 北京市 ) has 7,309 of these cultural heritage sites. Three of which; The Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China and the Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian, are on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition, Beijing City ( 北京市 ) has over 200 scenic spots open to visitor, including the Beihai Park, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, the Temple of Heaven, the Tanzhe Temple, Fragrant Hills, the Ruins of the Yuan Ming Yuan, the Eight Great Sites, etc.

It is important to know which month you are coming to Beijing ( 北京 ). The city has four distinctive seasons which provide different experiences; short spring and autumn as well as longer winter and summer. The average annual temperature is 13 degree centigrade. The hottest month is July which averages 20 – 25 degree centigrade. The coldest month is in January with an average temperature of close to 4 degree centigrade. The average annual rainfall is 508 millimeters and the frost-free period is 180 – 200 days a year.